Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla is a Director at the Helmholtz Centre Munich and Full Professor (W3) for Stem Cell Biology at the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich . She leads the Institute of Epigenetics & Stem Cells and the Stem Cell Centre , with affiliations to the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus and IGBMC, Strasbourg . Education : Habilitation in Molecular & Cellular Biology (2008, Université Louis Pasteur); PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology (1998–2002, Université Paris V/Institut Pasteur); University degree in Biology (1994–1998, National University of Mexico). Research Interests focus on epigenetics , chromatin dynamics , stem cell biology , and early mammalian development . Her work explores nuclear organization, totipotency, and reprogramming mechanisms during embryogenesis, with a strong emphasis on histone variants, heterochromatin regulation, and 3D genome architecture. Her publications span high-impact journals like Nature , Nature Cell Biology , and Nature Genetics , with a focus on epigenetic reprogramming, chromatin accessibility, and cell fate decisions. She has authored 84 publications, including 62 as first or corresponding author. Scientific Awards & Leadership Roles : 2023: Member, German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina) and Latin American Academy of Sciences (ACAL) 2021–2023: Editorial Board Member, Science and Cell Stem Cell 2020: NIH 4D Nucleome Project Principal Investigator Award 2019–2021: Founding member and Work Package Leader, LifeTime Initiative 2018–2023: Steering Board Member, Single Cell Omics Germany She actively participates in interdisciplinary networks , including EpiGeneSys , Helmholtz Think Tank , and NIH 4D Nucleome advisory roles, while organizing major conferences like the Gordon Research Conference on Epigenetics and FASEB Methylation Meetings .








